IATA strengthens its global influence with new leader

05-09-25

From Brussels, the epicenter of European diplomacy, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has made a strategic move with the appointment of Thomas Reynaert as the new Senior Vice President for External Affairs, effective September 1, 2025. This appointment marks a decisive step in consolidating IATA’s leadership on the international stage. Reynaert will take on the coordination of the organization’s global policy and institutional relations, playing a key role in defending the interests of airlines worldwide.

Reynaert’s arrival from IBM, where he served as Vice President for Government and Regulatory Affairs for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, brings valuable expertise in public policy and regulation. But his career goes even further: he was the founding Managing Director of Airlines for Europe (A4E), which he led from its creation in 2016 until 2023, advocating for the European aviation sector on issues such as fees, environmental regulation, and connectivity. His professional path also includes a stage in the aerospace industry as President of International Operations in Europe for United Technologies, with a strong focus on government relations.

For IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, this appointment is far from coincidental. In his words, “It is crucial that governments understand the value aviation generates and the challenges airlines face in connecting people and economies. Thomas brings the knowledge and experience that will help IATA increase the effectiveness of its work with governments and regulators.” Based initially in Brussels, Reynaert will lead not only matters related to the European Union but also advocacy operations in Washington and at ICAO, with the goal of fostering a more favorable regulatory environment for aviation.

Reynaert has emphasized his commitment to tackling the most pressing challenges facing the industry. After noting that “safely transporting five billion people and representing 3.2% of global GDP each year is a modern miracle,” he stressed that airlines must contend with high taxation, achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and navigate fragmented global standards that complicate operations. His mission will be to work with governments worldwide to create a productive regulatory environment in which airlines can compete, grow efficiently, and ensure the essential connectivity that underpins economies and societies.

Reynaert’s appointment comes at a crucial moment for global aviation, immersed in an environment of environmental pressure, evolving regulatory frameworks, and geopolitical challenges. In this context, his profile—combining expertise in aviation, technology, and public policy—positions him as a strategic figure for IATA in its mission to effectively influence key rules and decisions.

Through this appointment, IATA reaffirms its commitment to strengthening its institutional voice and global advocacy, responding to a transforming environment where a solid regulatory vision is vital to sustaining the growth and safety of air transport.

In collaboration with:

This site uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic. Information about your use of this site is shared with Google. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies.

Legal notice